As of Jan. 1, smoking and tobacco use, as well as the use of all e-cigarettes and vaping devices, are prohibited throughout Skidmore College property, including outdoor areas and on-campus residential properties. However, the college now has the responsibility of educating the Skidmore community and providing resources for users who wish to quit.

Now that the spring semester is up and running, the Tang Teaching Museum is preparing to unveil their new spring exhibitions. Two that are set to open on Feb. 9 are Like Sugar and The Second Buddha: Master of Time. These exhibitions will be on display until the end of May.

As of Oct. 1, Donna Ng has officially taken on the role as the school’s Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer at Skidmore College. Skidmore News and Ng sat down to discuss her career and journey to Skidmore.

Following Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s sudden withdrawal from the Senate debate scheduled to take place Oct. 20 at Zankel, SGA organized a student public forum at SPA. What could have been a lively event in light of Gillibrand’s cancellation, ended up unattended by the Skidmore community.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has pulled out of the Meet the Candidates Senate debate that was scheduled to take place on Oct. 21 in Zankel. Gillibrand cited a labor dispute with the television station’s parent company as her reasoning for cancelling.

In 2017, money was donated to build a permanent Code Blue shelter in 2017 for Saratoga’s homeless population. However, on Sept. 17, 2018, the Saratoga County Supreme Court Judge ruled that the shelter could not be built in the proposed location.

Cultural fluency has become increasingly vital in how people communicate with each other, especially when discussing sensitive topics. In response to this need, Skidmore College has chosen to continue “In It” diversity program, which will go from Oct. 11 to 12.

One week ago, the Student Government Association (SGA) announced the results of their fall semester elections. After running a strong campaign, Sophia Paulino Adames emerged as the first-year class president.

It seems like the Student Government Association has a new vibe. So far this semester, they have sent out emails with quirky subject lines — think “Don't call your ex at 2am. Call your elected representatives!” and “Hey Skidmore! U up?;)” — and even featured the way to Skidmore student’s hearts: memes. In congruence with this change, SGA was also gearing up for their elections, which typically occur at the beginning of the school year.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, Professor Sigal R. Ben-Porath traveled to Skidmore to deliver a keynote address. During her lecture, Ben-Porath stressed the importance of free speech as a principle for all in a democracy, focusing on the ways in which we consider and respond to challenges to free speech.

The Skidmore community recently got updates concerning the campus’ goal to become smoke-free and tobacco-free by Jan. 1, 2019. The policy will apply to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus, and a failure to comply may result in a penalty.

On Sept. 14, University of Pennsylvania’s Education and Politics Professor Sigal Ben-Porath will give a lecture about free speech on college campuses. In her book, Ben-Porath focuses on the important role free speech plays on increasingly diverse college campuses. Her lecture will take place this Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 P.M

As the school year begins, students entering K-12 classrooms will be welcomed by a new curriculum that includes instruction on mental health. The new lesson is part of a 2016 NYS law that is finally starting.